Chapter 14 - The Wedding Speech That Made Me Understand Why My Father Wanted Me to Meet DeclanDuring the wedding reception, my father stood.
He held a glass.
“I have something to say.”
Everyone quieted.
He looked at Declan.
“When I first met you, I wondered why you refused to take money.”
Declan smiled.
“Because I didn't need it.”
My father nodded.
“That was the answer I needed.”
He looked at me.
“You fired the best employee I ever hired.”
Everyone laughed.
I groaned.
“Dad.”
He smiled.
“But firing him led you back to what matters.”
He raised his glass.
“Family.”
I looked at Declan.
He squeezed my hand.
Maya climbed onto a chair.
“And me!”
Everyone laughed.
“And you,” my father said.
Chloe stood.
“You're forgetting who introduced them.”
I stared at her.
“You absolutely did not.”
She laughed.
“I did.”
The room erupted.
Later that evening, Declan and I stepped outside.
The lights from the reception reflected on the wet pavement.
“You happy?”
“Yes.”
“You regret nothing?”
I thought.
“I regret firing you.”
He smiled.
“I don't.”
“Why?”
“Because if you hadn't, I wouldn't have met you.”
I laughed.
“That is an annoyingly good answer.”
He kissed me.
Then we heard footsteps.
My father.
He handed me an envelope.
“What's this?”
“Your mother's final letter.”
I froze.
“I thought there were no more.”
“Neither did I.”
I opened it.
Harper,
If you are reading this, then you have probably discovered what happened to our family.
You may hate us.
You may hate yourself.
Don't.
Families make mistakes.
The important thing is what comes after.
The final paragraph read:
Choose someone who sees you when you are difficult.
Choose someone who stays when leaving would be easier.
Choose someone who protects your heart, not just your name.
I looked at Declan.
He smiled.
My mother had known.
Somehow, she had known.
I folded the letter.
The past was finally quiet.
For the first time, I believed it might stay that way.
Then a little boy approached me.
“Ms. Lynwood?”
“Yes?”
“Someone left this for you.”
He handed me a small box.
Inside was a brass key.
I didn't recognize it.
A note accompanied it.
The last warehouse.
My heart tightened.
I looked at Declan.
He saw the fear in my eyes.
May you like
“What?”
“We're not done.”
